Valmera

Valmera is an ancient black dragon that lives in the Dragonskeep Mountains southwest of Darach Forest. It is not known where she came from, but her presence was noticed about 600 years before the Emerald Pillar fell.

It was the Firbolg Chief that first noticed the dragon's presence, as she was consuming all of the wildlife in the forest. Chief led an envoy of Firbolgs to Valmera's lair, and arrived at an agreement. The dragon would feed in a different part of the forest each month to prevent over-hunting in one specific area of the forest. In return, the Firbolgs would herd animals toward the part of the forest closest to Valmera's lair so that she could feed before setting out to the more remote parts of the forest. Valmera also agreed that she would ensure her lair did not impede or pollute the Moonflow River that flowed from the mountains, as long as the Firbolgs prevented any humans or other races from crossing through the forest toward her lair. The Chief agreed to these terms and the accord was accepted by both parties.

The agreement was upheld for nearly 600 years, until suddenly the dragon stopped leaving her lair. The Firbolgs would occasionally see her fly overhead, but she had not been seen for months. And yet, the animal population in the forest was declining. It seemed as though a corruption was taking over the land. Flora and fauna slowly withered and died. The source of the Moonflow River became polluted. A fog covered the land. These effects were soon felt throughout Darach Forest until the Firbolg stronghold was the last area still unaffected.

When Shep journeyed out to follow the corruption to its source, it quickly became apparent that it stemmed from the dragon's lair. While Shep was gathering information and studying the corruption a presence entered Shep's mind. Shep was strong of will and resisted, but almost immediately after that happened, Valmera flew from her lair in the direction of the Firbolg stronghold spewing fire and acid across the land. For Shep, this was proof that Valmera was the source of the corruption.

Shep returned home to find the Firbolgs utterly decimated by the dragon. Shep did not know why Valmera did what she did, but it was clear that Shep needed to warn others before they suffered the same fate. Shep saw Valmera return to her lair, but who knows when she would attack again.